ALEXANDRIA, LA (2/3/2026) – The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit concluded a major narcotics investigation on January 29, 2026. This long-term operation focused on 34-year-old Elijah Jermaine Jones of Alexandria.
Agents identified Jones as the primary target during their months-long investigation. They spotted the suspect traveling on LA 28 East near Deville and performed a traffic stop. Officers took Jones into custody without incident based on several outstanding arrest warrants.
Deadly Narcotics Volume Discovered
During the subsequent searches of multiple locations, agents recovered a staggering amount of illegal drugs. The haul included approximately 14 pounds of fentanyl and nearly 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine.
According to DEA safety standards, this amount of fentanyl contains over 3.1 million potentially lethal doses.
Furthermore, investigators located two pounds of unidentified blue pills which await laboratory te
These estimates are based on DEA public safety guidance and standard potency assumptions. Actual impact can vary significantly depending on the purity, concentration, and composition of the drugs involved, which will ultimately be determined through laboratory testing.
Cash Assets and Legal Charges
Beyond the narcotics, agents seized over $34,000 in assorted U.S. currency. Officials believe this money represents illegal revenue generated through drug trafficking activities. Consequently, agents served Jones with Civil Asset Forfeiture paperwork regarding the seized funds.
Jones was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on several distribution charges. He faces counts for fentanyl, methamphetamine, and two counts for Schedule IV substances. At this time, Jones remains in custody on a $1,000,000 bond.
A Multi-Agency Success
The RADE Unit operates as a multi-jurisdictional team to protect Central Louisiana communities. This task force includes local police departments, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.
Authorities stated that the investigation into this trafficking network remains active. They encourage anyone with information on local drug activity to contact the RADE Unit via Facebook. Please note that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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